Financial Planning Among Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant financial hardship, which could improve through financial planning and utilization of accounts such as the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE). Unfortunately, current rates of banking are low among individuals with disabilities, and no study has examined this phenomenon specifically among families of children with IDD. In this cross-sectional study, 176 parents shared their financial planning and utilization experience. Findings indicate that parents worry about their child's financial future, however, paradoxically, are not engaging in financial planning. Utilization of ABLE, checking and savings accounts, and special needs trusts are also low. Parents reported several programmatic and personal barriers which could inform immediate programmatic changes and long-term policy considerations.